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SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

Russian Soldiers Jailed for Torturing Pro-Kremlin American to Death

Four Russian soldiers have been sentenced for torturing and killing Russell “Texas” Bentley, a pro-Moscow American who fought alongside Kremlin-backed forces in eastern Ukraine.

Investigators said the men mistook Bentley for a U.S. spy, beat him to death, and blew up his body in a car to hide the evidence. Two officers received 12-year sentences, a sergeant was given 11 years, and another soldier got 18 months for concealing the crime.

Bentley, a Texas native and outspoken propagandist, joined Russian-backed separatists in 2014. He frequently posted videos promoting Moscow’s war in Ukraine and produced content for Russian state media. (Read More)

UAE-Backed Forces Claim Full Control of Southern Yemen

The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) claims full control of southern Yemen, including Aden, the seat of the internationally recognized government.

STC official Amr al-Bidh said its forces now oversee all eight southern governorates and are consolidating power to stabilize the region and counter the Houthis.

The STCs recent advances signal a major shift in southern Yemen, as the group seeks increased autonomy in the south, which was independent before unification with the north in 1990. (Read More)

China Expands Surveillance in South China Sea

A U.S. think tank reports that China has upgraded electronic warfare and surveillance systems across its major Spratly Islands bases, including Mischief, Subi, and Fiery Cross reefs.

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, China has deployed fixed monopole antennas and vehicle-mounted units equipped with jamming and sensing systems at three bases.

The think tank noted that the Chinese buildup comes as Vietnam accelerates its own construction in the Spratly Islands. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims from countries including the Philippines and Vietnam. (Read More)

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QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seized Sudan’s largest oilfield, Heglig, in South Kordofan. The takeover follows the Sudanese Armed Forces' withdrawal and comes as the RSF pushes east and south from Darfur, which it captured last month. (Read More)

➤ Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire along their disputed border after accusing each other of breaching a ceasefire. The clashes have killed at least five people and forced tens of thousands to flee. (Read More)

➤ Nigeria has rescued 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School last month. Officials have not disclosed whether the rescue resulted from negotiations, ransom, or a raid. (Read More)

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ ChatGPT, the most widely used AI chatbot, has the weakest privacy practices compared with Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, according to a recent review. It saves conversations indefinitely for model training unless users manually delete them, while other chatbots enforce stricter data limits. (Read More)

➤ Orlando International Airport has introduced facial-recognition kiosks that speed up passenger processing. U.S. travelers can verify their identities in seconds without showing passports, a system that customs officials say has cut wait times by 43%. (Read More)

➤ Five people were killed and 12 injured in an explosion outside a police station in Michoacán, Mexico over the weekend. The blast struck Coahuayana, a town on the state’s coast where criminal groups, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, are active. (Read More)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ Britain’s Ministry of Defence plans to develop AI-powered autonomous vessels to protect undersea cables and pipelines from Russian threats. The Atlantic Bastion program will link ships, submarines, and aircraft into a “digital targeting web” for faster threat response. (Read More)

➤ Castelion, a defense startup led by former SpaceX engineers, raised $350 million to accelerate hypersonic missile production for the Pentagon. The California-based firm, developing missiles for the Army and Navy, will build a New Mexico campus to support production and testing. (Read More)

➤ Israel plans to deliver its high-powered “Iron Beam” laser interception system to the military on December 30. The Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development confirmed the system passed testing and is ready for initial operational use. (Read More)

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We offer unmatched opportunities for growth, internal mobility, and work-life balance. We recognize excellence, celebrate individuality, and support our teammates and communities. Whether you're an engineer, scientist, or problem-solver, Parsons is a place for everyone.

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SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday and triggered a tsunami along Pacific coast communities. The government is assessing damage and has warned residents of potential aftershocks.

➤ Archaeologists have discovered the wreck of a nearly 2,000-year-old Egyptian pleasure boat off the coast of Alexandria. The 115-foot-long vessel may have been used in rituals honoring the goddess Isis, according to archaeologist Franck Goddio.

➤ Congress is placing new limits on Pentagon force reductions in Europe and South Korea. Any cuts below 76,000 troops in Europe or 28,500 in South Korea must include national security assessments and certification that U.S. or NATO security interests would not be harmed.

On this day in history: On December 9, 1917, Ottoman officials surrendered Jerusalem to the British Army, led by General Edmund Allenby, ending 400 years of Ottoman rule, a significant symbolic and strategic victory in World War I that marked a turning point in the Middle East and led to Britain's Balfour Declaration, shaping future regional conflicts.

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

When will flying cars move from concept to consumer reality?

By 2030

2030-2035

After 2035, but this century

It's not happening

Yesterday’s Results:

Should AI-generated images and videos be required to have a visible watermark?

Yes (97%)
No (0.9%)
Unsure (2.1%)

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Defense Division

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Humanitarian Security Officer

Defense Division

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Medic

Defense Division

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Interpreter

Defense Division

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Communications and Command Systems Instructor

Defense Division

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About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former Special Operations & Intelligence Professionals not Career Journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

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